Laser conditioning and structuring of grinding tools - a review

The conditioning of grinding tools is one of the most important factors for achieving an optimal grinding process. It influences the grinding forces and temperatures and, therefore, the achievable material removal rate, dimensional accuracy and the surface integrity of the workpiece. Furthermore, the roundness, profile accuracy and the wear of the grinding tools are strongly influenced by the conditioning process. The conditioning process should be matched to the abrasive type and the bonding of the grinding tool. Laser conditioning is a promising unconventional and non-contact method, which is able to condition all kinds of abrasives and bonding types. The main advantages of this novel method are no tool wear, good repeatability and controllability, high precision and a relatively short process time. Additionally, using this method grinding tools can be micro-structured. This paper reviews the literature on the laser conditioning of grinding tools, covering the associated setups, wheel conditioning and structuring mechanisms, and experimental results. It also discusses the technical barriers that have to be overcome before laser conditioning can be fully integrated into manufacturing.